In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Dr. Daphne reconnects with Coach Valarie Swanson, plant-based runner, author, and founder of Running on Carbs, to explore her incredible journey to mastering the marathon at age 52. After recovering from a femoral neck stress fracture, Val trained smarter than ever, embracing strength, patience, and purpose to cross the finish line stronger than she started.

Whether you're eyeing your first 5K or a personal best at any age, this episode delivers practical insights, heartfelt reflections, and plenty of motivation to keep moving forward.

You’ll learn:

How Coach Val trained for her first marathon after injury and into her 50s
The mindset shifts that transformed her approach to running
Her plant-based fueling strategies for endurance and recovery
The role of strength training in building a resilient runner’s body
Why midlife might just be the perfect time to thrive as a runner

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here

🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here

🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube

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